Now is really the only time any of us truly have! Yesterday’s gone, tomorrow’s not yet here and neither is it guaranteed.
We worry about the past, but the past is gone and can’t be changed. It can only be learned from with lessons applied to hopefully not repeat past mistakes.
We tell ourselves that when we get there, to some future point in time, that we’ll be happy and have a good life then.
As for ‘Now’ many of us are just so busy, there’s work to do, bills to pay, Facebook statuses to check and gazillions of other things that we think about.
And that reminds me of an old song by Harry Chapin, “Cat’s in the Cradle”, a memorable classic. I used to hear this on the radio all the time and the words just penetrated my heart everytime I heard it.
I’m sure the following lyrics will have the same effect on you.
“Cat’s In The Cradle”
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you, Dad
You know I’m gonna be like you”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home, Dad
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play
can you teach me to throw”, I said “Not today
I got a lot to do”, he said, “That’s ok
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home, Dad
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then
Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while”
He shook his head and said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
You know we’ll have a good time then
I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said, “I’d love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job’s a hassle and kids have the flu
But it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you”
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin’ home son
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
We’re gonna have a good time then.
We’re gonna have a good time then. Well what if then never arrives. There are people that didn’t wake up this morning.
So take some time out today, right now, even if only for a moment, and take some time to smell the roses. Have a look around and see what’s happening. Call someone today and let them know they matter to you, that you appreciate having them in your life.
Go and do something you’ve always wanted to do, even if you only start the process.
Lay down that Smartphone and forget about Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and enjoy the moment right now. What are you feeling and experiencing right now at this very moment? Savour it, taste it, truly experience and be in it.
I remember an old advertising slogan we had in Australia many years ago.
Life Be In It!
I can hear Arnold Schwarzenegger in my head with his broad Austrian accent saying,
“Just do it, do It NOW”
Photo credit: Pinterest
